Scripture Reading: Acts 16:1-40
Once upon a time, I had a student named Lydia. She was the kind of kid every teacher wants in class: joyful, attentive, bright, polite, and curious. She was a stellar student, athlete, and friend, but what I loved most about Lydia was the way she lit up whenever we talked about Jesus.
Interestingly enough, she bears a striking resemblance to the lady from today’s reading, who was “a God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.” She was listening to those sharing about Jesus when “the Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying” (Acts 16:14). Minus the purple cloth thing, my former student reflects these traits to a tee: she is “God-fearing,” an avid listener, and one whose heart has been opened by the Lord to receive and respond to the gospel.
Reflecting on the similarities between these two Lydias made me wonder how our personal lives, our local churches, and the Church at large might benefit from adopting some “Lydian” behaviors.
The Greek verb in the phrase translated as “God-fearing”, seboménē, might also be rendered as “one who devoutly reveres and worships.” My student Lydia’s devotion to the Lord blossomed in school, and I witnessed how it positively impacted everyone around her. And in reading Acts 16, we see how Lydia’s God-fearing heart had the power to inspire a city-wide interest in God. Worshipping in spirit and truth draws people toward Jesus, the Light of the World.
In an era when people seem to have given up listening to one another, students like Lydia remind me that there are still Christ-followers out there who are slow to speak and quick to listen—to each other and to the Lord himself. Because Lydia of Thyatira sat and listened to Paul talking and praying, she was moved to invite him to stay at her house, thus giving him a temporary home base from which to preach the gospel. Imagine what miracles could be set in motion if only we learned to listen more closely to the people around us!
Stop and consider the blessings that proceeded from the opening of Lydia’s heart we read about today—the prisoners set free, the new believers baptized, a movement launched. These events proceeded from the willingness of a God-fearing woman who listened and responded to the Holy Spirit. As a result, the world would never be the same—not just there in first-century Philippi but throughout the Mediterranean region, and eventually, all across the planet.
I get really excited imagining what God can do with the life of my former student Lydia and others like her throughout the world. What impact would it have on God’s kingdom on earth if we aimed to be more devout in our worship of the Lord, if we all practiced the discipline of listening, and if we responded to the miracle of faith God has planted in our hearts? Makes me want to be more like the Lydias and then marvel at what the Lord can do.
Written by Alex Florez
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52 thoughts on "Lydia"
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@Jennifer Anapol- I see a mom that is here reading her Bible every day for at least a couple of years that I’ve seen your consistent comments! I’d say you are doing better than you think. :)
Mercy- So good, especially on the mediums and such! It all seems harmless in our culture…but it’s not. It gives a foothold. We have to realize the Spiritual world is real, and Satan is the king of this world. (I had a whole big comment against things, but erased! I don’t want to step on too many toes! ;) )
I want to really listen to the Lord and what he wants me to do. I pray that I would really follow his guiding in my life. I know I may not have the same calling that Paul has in his life, but I still want to accomplish what he wants me to in this life. I know I get distracted by so many things around a me.
Sisters, please remember in prayer my friend Judy, who is having a hysterectomy Friday, and then must wait to see if she needs cancer treatments.
Margaret W, I’m praying for Judy
Today’s reading is so rich and interesting. I get pulled to many directions as usual, but I narrowed down to two points that got my attention:
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1. The seller of purple goods: I had no idea what that means, and some more digging for context and its significance. Purple dye was luxury-level stuff in the ancient world. It refers to her being a merchant who dealt in expensive fabrics dyed purple. Purple cloth was the status symbol, worn by royalty, high officials, and the very wealthy. The dye was extremely expensive because it came from the secretion of certain sea snails. It could take thousands of snails to make enough dye for one garment. So, “seller of purple goods” isn’t just a small detail, it was more like her owning a high-end luxury boutique catering to the upper class. It is telling us Lydia was a successful, upper-class businesswoman whose conversion brought both resources and influence into the early church.
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2. Fortune Telling and unclean spirits behind: Paul was greatly annoyed by the tattletale that followed him everywhere and shouted “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation”. Would this be good for his press? If it is an average person, this might be an ego stroke, great for reputation, no?. But not Paul. He knows this came from unclean sources that are meant to disrupt his work. Why is fortune telling so spiritually dangerous? The slave girl’s ability to tell fortunes came from a “spirit of divination” literally in Greek, a python spirit, connected to pagan or occult practices. Paul did not regard this as a harmless talent. Why? Deuteronomy 18:10–12 – “Let no one be found among you… who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens… or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD”. Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be DEFILED by them. I am the LORD your God”. Fortune telling may seem harmless, or even entertaining, but its root is in deception, to entangle people into spiritual bondages. By seeking knowledge of the future from these sources, we open a door to the enemy’s influence and turn away from trusting the Lord who alone holds your future. To seek answers from fortune tellers, horoscopes, tarot cards, or any occult practice is to trade God’s voice for counterfeit voices that lead to destruction. May we remember King Saul’s example, who consulted a medium (1 Samuel 28:7–19) and sought guidance from the witch instead of God, result: God confirmed judgment against him, and he died the next day in battle. Fortune telling is never “neutral”, it is joining into a demonic source, provoking God’s anger. And this can follow down through many family generations (Exodus 20:5), unless broken through repentance and the power of Jesus Christ.
@RHONDA J: for your friend M and the sudden grief.
@SEARCHING: for your family member.
Be blessed dear sisters.
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Loved that it was the Lord’s opening of her heart that caused her to stop and Listen.
Lydia’s offer to welcome them into her home is another gift she possessed. I have been working on cultivating that gift of hospitality in my own life. It doesn’t come naturally to me. Ask me to come help you with any task that needs to be done and I’m your girl! But opening my home to the comings and goings of others outside of family and my reclusive nature puts up a fight!. I admire those who jump in immediately with the words “Come stay with us.”
I love this passage of scripture and the story of Lydia. She is described as a women of faith; her open, tender heart, was so naturally already postured to the Lord moving in her life and that of her family. Lydia is an example to follow – humble, open hearted, responding to the Lord with willing obedience, offering hospitality. There is a lot to be said for the influence and godly woman can have in the trajectory of the lives of those around her. Oh, precious Lord, may all of these be so in my life. ❤️
The thoughts, insights, and commentary references you have all shared today have been so rich – thank you. Kimberly, your way with words is truly such a gift. Thank you.
Lydia’s story shows me the patience, faithfulness, gentleness and kindness of our God. I want him to develop these traits in me more fully so I can serve Him humbly in love,
Yes, Amen!! (Amen, here is my ONE reply it allows me!)
(Heart to all the insights!!)
God’s providence at work once again! God led Paul, through the Holy Spirit to be in the right place at the right time.
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Lydia listening with an open heart – it is always my prayer on Sunday mornings for everyone coming to the worship service that day, that God will break up the fallow ground of our hearts – so that our hearts would be open for whatever it is He wants us to hear.
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And the prisoners listening to Paul and Silas praise God after being beaten and thrown in prison – what an impression that must have made.
Again, causes me to pause and ask – “what are others hearing when the listen to me?”
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Then to see the jailer and his whole household come to faith! So much of God’s working in each of these situations!
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That same God is at work today and is able to do the same wonder working things in our own lives!
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Much to ponder in today’s reading.
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Praying for all your requests. I hope soon the “reply” button will once again be working!
Happy Monday She’s!!❤️❤️❤️
My prayer help me to listen Lord! Not move by my own understanding
Happy Monday sweet She’s! What a sweet devo and for Alex to recall his former student Lydia. It sound like both Lydia’s heard to gospel and immediately made the decision to follow Jesus! I must of been in youth group for about a year until it finally “made-sense” when I attend a youth conference and made the best decision of my life! I love to read how some of our early Christians made the decision to follow Jesus “immediately!” And I’m sure there are some today that do the same. Either way here we are. Yesterday my daughter and I had the privilege to pray for a sweet gal, a friend of my son’s. It was a major prayer and very important to her, not sure where her faith stands right now, BUT when we asked if we could pray for her she said YES and even asked if we could hold hands. AND there we were on a corner outside of a coffee shop praying for her and her very important situation. Please join me in praying for M.
Lord, help me to listen, open my heart and respond to God, open my home, invite others, be bold!
My husband and I (mostly him) led a trip to Greece this summer with some of our college students and people from our church. We did the 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys of Paul and the traditional site of Lydia’s baptism was one of our stops. It’s for sure the same river, just the actual spot is uncertain. Still, it was so powerful to sit there and imagine that humble open-hearted woman wading into the water to be baptized. I’ll try to remember to post a pic to the FB page. I’ll be like Kelly and put my location after my name now since there is more than one Rachel :) KIMBERLY thank you for sharing your gift of words with us! ❤️ Rachel- I pray you will speak truth back to the lies of the enemy. If you are in Christ, you have been made new and all the shame was covered at the cross. His blood is sufficient and you are free to walk in newness of life and the joy that comes with His gift of mercy and grace❤️
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We can learn so much from Lydia, for sure. I have questions… not about Lydia, but the servant girl. (That was in the message at church last week.) I love how the Word says Paul was ANNOYED… funny!! Does anyone have any insight as to how many days the “many days” refers to? Or maybe the tone of voice the servant girl used? None of my research had those details. Any insight from any She’s would be welcome. Thank you.
The servant girl was possessed by a demonic spirit, so regardless of what she was saying it was coming from a place of evil not through the Holy Spirit
Sorry I hit post to soon, I can assume that Paul’s annoyance is from the fact that he knew that this was a demon and by casting it out was showing that even though the slave girl may have been speaking truth it was coming from evil and nothing that is separate from God can be good
My sister’s name is Lydia! I’ve definitely read this passage before but not using the HCSB translation from the She Reads Truth Bible and program. It’s much more exciting and easy to follow in the more modern English than KJV, I’m glad I gave it a try!
Today’s highlight on Lydia reminds me of our ladies that come into class in jail ministry. Most of them know of God, but need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ sparked with the Holy Spirit drawing them and boom! They accept Jesus into their heart, then they come seeking and listening each week. They request bibles, and start reading for the first time. God removes the scales from their eyes! It is transformation that happens, and so good to also increase the faith of the volunteers!
Also– One of my favorite stories is also told today that I use frequently for the jail ministry and any that are going through trials. They praised. THEY PRAISED! After being wrongly accused, beaten…dragged to prison and shackled! They praised. You have to remember to Praise when it looks bad. It is bad. You feel shackled. You feel wrongly accused. You are bleeding and beaten. God can do nightly miracles, and transform others in their watching and listening, when you praise in the bad. In the hard time.
My dear friend, a lady in my group, told me after church yesterday that her son committed suicide during the night. Just hours before. And she had to come to church. Praise God she knows where to run in her brokenness and shock. It is going to be a hard. One day at a time, looking to Jesus. If you could pray for M that would be amazing.
Lord, may all of your She’s be Lydia’s! With an open Spirit to hear, and be in the word with our household, to assist and help those on mission, and to give all we can for the Kingdom of God.
Heartbreaking news Rhonda. Will pray
Rhonda, I’m praying for M, that she will receive the comfort that only God can provide. Such a sad situation for her.
A thought provoking article. Living like the proverbs 31 woman
GM ladies:) I’m thinking about Lydia and her friends sitting there by the river and the apostles arriving. Like Jesus “having to go through Samaria”, the apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit to go to Macedonia. When they started speaking, Lydia’s heart must have quickened as the pieces of the puzzle fell together. I love these divine appointments! The jailer too! It gives me hope for my 2 prodigals – God can reach them anywhere!! Please pray for my daughter Chela as summer wraps up and she heads into junior year. Transitions are really hard for her and trigger her anxiety and spiraling thoughts.
Tina – how is Abby? She just popped into my mind! And Amen to “I can’t do life in my own strength but on every Word that comes from God.. through reading or hearing and being in His Word daily, moment by moment..“
Kimberly – beautiful! What a gift! I don’t know how you do it:)
Searching – GPS:)
Tami, I’m praying for Chela as she heads back to school, for all to go well, the transition to be easy and her spirit to be soothed rather than anxious.
Lydia’s story is a powerful reminder of how God uses women for the furtherance of His kingdom. She listened, her heart was opened, and the entire course of her family’s life was changed! My friend & I were talking the other day about how it seems like women are taking on the spiritual leadership of their families these days. They are the ones who make sure everyone is up & ready for church every Sunday. They pray over the children & family. It seems that all these years later, Lydia’s example is still alive and well!
” He rewards those who earnestly seek him ” Hebrews 11:6.
Warren Wiersbe says, ” Lydia was a seeker. She was worshiping the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, but she didn’t know Jesus. God,” rewards those who earnestly seek him.” He may not do it immediately, and his way of doing it may surprise us, but He will never fail. The Lord sent Paul to share the gospel with Lydia,and she became a devoted Christian believer. She opened her heart, her home, and her hands to Jesus Christ and He did the rest! The gospel is still the “power of God for he salvation of everyone who believes” , (Romans 1:16)
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I want to devoutly revere and worship! I pray that I take on and walk in Lydian ways but more importantly, Jesus’ way!
KIMBERLY – that is absolutely beautiful! ❤ May I share it at Bible study at a local church?
SEARCHING (SMILE emoji!)- Great ponder points! Praying that setback is short-lived and signs of improvement show up soon! Continued prayers for the teens! ❤
Yes, of course!
KIMBERLY – beautiful, thank you! ❤️
Attention getting –
13 ….we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
-they were staying in the city and purposefully sought out the people, and prioritized talking with the women. Seek and speak (RHONDA J ❤️)
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29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
-a result of being beaten and thrown into prison was an entire household coming to Christ. We may not know what God’s up to, but it is ultimately for good.
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Agreeing with TINA on finding myself getting sidetracked. I was reminded of my car’s GPS that goes crazy from time to time. One of its favorite tricks is to forget where the road is – map correctly shows the road I’m on, but shows me as driving down the ditch on the other side of the road! Eventually it straightens itself out … parallel to me many times. Lord, may I recognize quickly when I’m veering off track, in the ditch so to speak, needing to realign with You and Your word as my GPS – God’s Positioning System.
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Continuing to pray for the teens, and for my family member – major setback over the weekend :(
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WENDY B ❤️ thankful for successful surgery. Praying for swift recovery.
MARTHA HIX ❤️
JOY ❤️
RACHEL ❤️ “I’ve been struggling with guilt and shame about past choices and mistakes. ….. reminded me about the goodness and graciousness of a king who is in constant pursuit of us.” He is also the King who forgives our sins, Hallelujah! When my lengthy list of forgiven & forgotten by God sins pushes in, I start praying the truth I know. Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
SANDI S praying for grandson’s healthy arrival, and mama’s smooth delivery ❤️
KELLY (NEO) praying for K and J’s marriage journey ❤️ Thankful those house projects are getting done, woohoo! Praying for guidance when he starts his search, and praying for young mama as she starts the new job and her new start overall
TINA ❤️
Early Bird CEE GEE ❤️ Listening Lydias
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NINA S ❤️ Welcome!
Praying for all! Thank you for prayers yesterday! Everything went well! It was the Lord!
Cheryl – what good news.
Searching, I’m sorry to hear there was a setback with your family member’s health over the weekend. I’m praying for healing. And for the teens as they return to school.
Listen – Open – Respond
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I sat by the water, the world in my hands,
Purple threads woven from distant lands.
A merchant, a seeker, a quiet soul,
Still longing for something to make me whole.
I worshiped in silence, I prayed with care,
Not knowing how close He already was there.
Then came the word — not forced, but free,
And something awakened, deep in me.
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It wasn’t thunder, it wasn’t flame,
Just truth wrapped gently in Jesus’ name.
A door swung open inside my chest,
And peace poured in — a welcomed guest.
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Not just belief, but a spark, a start,
The Lord reached in and opened my heart.
No bargain, no striving, no secret code,
Just grace that found me.
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So I opened my home, as He opened my eyes,
And watched as faith began to rise.
Bread was broken, stories shared,
And love took root because someone cared.
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I wasn’t loud, I wasn’t grand,
Just a woman with space and an open hand.
But God used it all — the simple, the small —
To build a church within my walls.
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This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful!
Fannnnntastic!
Thanks for sharing
Kimberly, thank you for sharing your beautiful talent for words with us.
The Scripture tells us that:
Lydia’s HEART was in the right place – she WORSHIPED GOD.
Lydia was PHYSICALLY in the right place – honoring the Sabbath.
Paul and his missionary team had a divine appointment with Lydia and the women gathered there by the river.
She heard, she responded, she was baptized, and she excitedly opened her home to the missionaries. What a beautiful picture of conversion!
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ALEX FLOREZ – thank you for sharing about your student and encouraging us by her example.
From Gotquestionsdotorg:
“Lydia’s conversion marks the start of a new epoch in the Bible. Up to that point, the gospel had not gone further west than Asia Minor. In fact, on this journey, Paul’s original intention had been to stay in Asia, but God had changed his plans. The Lord sent Paul a vision calling him westward across the Aegean Sea and into Macedonia (Acts 16:6–10). Lydia, although a native of Asia Minor, is the first person recorded to have been saved in Europe.
The story of Lydia in the Bible is a great example of God’s providence and His care for believers. Lydia was a worshiper of God but, like Cornelius in Acts 10, had not yet heard the gospel. God rerouted Paul and friends and also ensured that Lydia would be in the right place at the right time to encounter Paul and hear the good news of Jesus. And, as Lydia heard the gospel, God opened her heart so that she received the life-giving message. In this story, so full of divine intervention, we see the sovereignty of God in salvation; as Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44). We also see the immediate bond that a new believer has with other believers in Christ—Lydia showed hospitality to those who brought the good news, and she wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
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May we all be ‘ listening Lydias’ today and everyday.
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TINA- Thanks for sharing about the Proverbs 31 woman of excellence. Great reference! ❤
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SEARCHING, WENDY B, INDIANA ELAINE – praying for each of these recovery needs!
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Love, hugs, and prayers, SHES! ❤
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A woman of influence and wealth, yet feared the God of the Jews. Like Peter to Cornelius, God sent Paul to where she was so that she could hear how to become a part of His family.
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WENDY B – happy to hear surgery went well. Praying for your recovery to be smooth too.
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Hope you all have a great day.
Amen❤️
to His wonder? If I did, who and what would that have an impact with / on?
Yesterday, our pastor’s sermon spoke of the question, “Are you allowing yourself to stand in the wonder of God and be trembled?”
In relation to Lydia’s story, am I consistently listening and responding c
There isn’t much said about Lydia, in Acts, not really, and yet what we do know or are told is enough to get the measure of her..
She listened.
She was open.
She was ready.
She wanted to be baptised
She worshipped God.
She wanted to share.
She believed.
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Proverbs 31, tells us of a woman whose characteris one of love and grace for her family and those around..
She gets up early.
She brings home food.
She plants vineyards.
She keeps busy.
She knows the value of everything.
She is generous.
She is strong, respected.
She speaks with wisdom..
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I felt Lydia was a proverbs 31 woman with a little (BIGGER) and much, much more!
She had the qualities, she just needed to hear about the provider of those qualities.. she already had a heart for God, but she needed to hear about Jesus, Son of God..
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BUT GOD..
HE had His eye on His sparrow, and at the right time, opened her heart to truly hear, and be baptised..
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I think, on occasion, I get side tracked and forget that I need to hear, to renew my thinking or my being and or my actions, today’s devotional is a sobering reminder that I can’t do life in my own strength but on every Word that comes from God.. through reading or hearing and being in His Word daily, moment by moment..
May we always, no matter the hour, be ready to be re-newed, re-storied and re-minded through hearing and being present …
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AMEN.
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Happy Monday my beautiful people, be blessed today and throughout the week, whatever you are doing..
Those back to school, extra blessings and hugs being prayed over you..❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️